Letters to the editor for Saturday, March 16, 2013

In response to the recent editorial regarding the majority of the Sullivan County Legislature's "giving themselves the power" to change the charter: The truth is that the county charter itself gives the simple majority that very authority in Section C1.05.

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Posted Mar. 16, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Posted Mar. 16, 2013 at 2:00 AM

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In response to the recent editorial regarding the majority of the Sullivan County Legislature's "giving themselves the power" to change the charter: The truth is that the county charter itself gives the simple majority that very authority in Section C1.05.

The section states, "Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the County Legislature, by a majority of votes, may not propose propositions for amendment of this charter." In addition, Section 1-7 states "such local laws or ordinances may be amended, deleted or changed from time to time as the County Legislature deems desirable."

The reality is that in fact there have been numerous amendments to the charter throughout the years allowable by a simple majority in enacting local laws. So in moving forward, I applaud my colleagues of this bipartisan majority, including Gene Benson, Cora Edwards, Alan Sorenson and Kitty Vetter, who have stepped up to enact much-needed change.

Cindy Kurpil Gieger

Jeffersonville

At last year's Marlboro school budget reviews, the school board was shown budgets for the prior year, the in-year budget and the suggested budget for the next year. At no time was the board shown "actuals" at public hearing.

When I asked the superintendent at another meeting why actuals were not shown, he said this is the way it has been done in the past and the board has not asked for the data to be presented differently.

It is curious that the administration would not show prior year actuals and the in-year outlook (actuals through January, an estimate for the remaining months). A look backward at your past business performance is the best indicator of the future. This data is what every business and family putting a budget together need, to make a prudent financial decision.

I ask the board to request that they see the budget data along with actuals. The actuals should be your base line for the next year not last year's budget. Because the state says you can go up X percent over the prior year's budget does not mean it is appropriate financially to do.

David Conn

Milton

Well, sequestration is the law of the land. What does it really mean? Damned if I know — it sounds pretty bad.

However, if we look closely, we may just find the emperor has no clothes. While the blame game continues in Washington, I think I've found the real enemy, and it's us. But wait, how can that be? We're not in Congress, we're not in Washington. I'm sure it must be them — you know, the other guys.

For many years now, politicians have been pandering to those who can re-elect them, and it's worked. We now have a country divided and, as we know, a house divided cannot stand. Who are we to blame? Go look in the mirror for the answer.

We are all so wrapped up in our own little world that we vote based on "what's right for me." This country was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So when the government fails as it has, look around and within and ask yourself again, whose fault is it?

Votes have consequences. We can blame everyone else, but in the end it's our country that is failing.